Xinyu Zhao; Yongzhen Gao; Yuxin Wan; Yi Du & Xijiao Yu

Studies on the long-term effects of chronic periodontitis on pulp degeneration are still incomplete. Seventy-four extracted teeth suffered from severe periodontitis were selected to provide insights for the assessment of dental pulp status. Tissue slices were prepared using HE staining to observe pathological changes in the pulps. Typical pulp degeneration lesions were selected to observe the expression of HIF-1α by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and western blotting. Pulp degeneration was not observed in the normal control teeth. Twenty-two pulp degeneration was identified among the 74 teeth with severe periodontitis(30 %). Positive expression of HIF-1α was observed in odontoblasts, degenerated pulp cells, and proliferative fibroblasts. The normal dental pulp showed minimal positive expression. Western blotting analysis revealed a significant elevation in HIF-1α expression in teeth affected by severe periodontitis compared to the normal group. The dental pulp of teeth affected by periodontitis is more prone to pulp degeneration, with HIF-1α involved in this process.

KEY WORDS: Periodontitis; Pulp degeneration; HIF-1α; Periodontal-endodontic combined disease; Calcification.

ZHAO, X.; GAO, Y.; WANG, Y.; DU, I. & YU, X. Increased pulp degeneration and HIF-1α expression in teeth with severe periodontitis. Int. J. Morphol., 42(6):1671-1678, 2024.